'American Idol' recap: Is Lauren Alaina 'The One'?
"I think we found The One today," Steven Tyler said, moments from the end of “American Idol” Thursday night, as he left day two of Season 10’s Nashville auditions. “We found her. Oh, yeah, we did."
He didn’t mention a name, but we can probably safely assume that Tyler was talking about Lauren Alaina, the night’s final contestant, with the moving backstory that comes with that slot. And though, of course, with more auditions in more cities, Hollywood and lots more singing to go, one can never know for sure, the judges (and the producers’) current anointed choice does seem worthy.
To quote Tyler again, “She is beyondo cute.”
She is …
Adorable: Tumbling blondish-brownish curls; a glowing, cheekbone-enhanced smile; lilting Georgia accent; expertly done makeup; flip-flops.
Totally charming: When Jennifer Lopez said she was moved to tears by her singing, Alaina said, “Don’t cry, you’re too pretty. You’ll mess up your makeup.” And having run outside to bring in her parents (“I’m last,” she notes, considerately), she revealed that their favorite song was one of Tyler’s (Aerosmith’s "I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing"), and not only confidently performed it, but also generously looped him into a duet.
Ready to use her voice for good: In fact, she already has. After her beloved cousin Holly was diagnosed with a brain tumor three years ago, Alaina, then presumably 12, held a fundraiser to support her. “I sang, and all the money I got I saved up for Holly,” she says.
15 … at the time of auditions: “I would say I’m a typical 15-year-old girl,” she tells us in voiceover, as we see her turning a cartwheel in a backyard, making the producers look shrewd for reducing the minimum age for contestants this year. “She’s a baby; she’s 15 years old,” Jennifer marvels. “It doesn’t matter what age, where, what, what, what. If you got it, you got it, and you definitely got it,” Randy says.
So, right, exactly what the producers are looking for. It only remains to be seen if she’s what America is looking for. As Alaina would say: What ya’all think? Please share your thoughts in the comment section.
Other Hollywood-bound hopefuls to keep an eye on:
Adrienne Beasley: A young African American woman raised on a farm by the white couple who adopted her at age 2. “She fit into the family like a hand in a glove,” one of those kind-looking parents says. And her dad cracks me up when, after she calls to tell him she’s going to Hollywood, he asks, “Who’s going to pay your way?” Dads.
Chelsee Oaks and Rob Bolin: These dueting exes have voices that mesh perfectly, and yet, they say (or at least, she says) they are not a perfect love match. How sad was it to watch her be greeted by a group of supporters (including her current boyfriend) after their joint audition and to watch him shrug resignedly and hug Ryan? Bolin seemed OK with it, though. "That worked out pretty cool," he said. After all, he is going to Hollywood.
Matt Dillard: His family has taken in 700 foster children over more than two decades, many of them with special needs, and he says he wants to use “Idol” success as a platform to help people, so I’ll definitely forgive him the unflattering farm-boy outfit and trust him when he says he can “pretty up.” He squeaked by with two yeses and one no (Lopez) from the judges. And I was glad to see him get through.
Stormi Henley: A former Miss Teen USA, who barely gets a pass to Hollywood. (The two male judges put her through, while Lopez says she has the “smallest” voice they’ve heard so far.) “I really want to see how far I can make it on my talent,” Stormi says. I’m curious, too.
Photo: Lauren Alaina performs Thursday. Credit: Michael Becker / Fox
We already have a winner! Never heard anyone so amazing; she doesn't even have to try. She's a natural born singer. She sounded better than Tyler, and I love that guy.
Posted by: Atomixcreed | January 28, 2011 at 09:45 AM
Oh my God! Lauren is the one! Steven Tyler is the best thing that ever has happened to Idol. I'm 62, love music and love Idol. This year has been wonderful, embracing
the contestants, instead of beating them down,treating them with kindness and compassion will carry the show for years to come. Steven Tyler just went along with Lauren like it was meant to be, made me cry twice this week! Thank You.
Posted by: Theresa Millett | January 28, 2011 at 10:39 AM
Lauren Alaina is ''AMAZING.'', I will definitely look forward on her next performance..Goodluck! go girl...
Posted by: Aeyel | January 28, 2011 at 10:41 AM
Probably not.
Posted by: Bystander | January 28, 2011 at 11:29 AM
Thank you for a great recap, it's nice to have the videos with the descriptions. The only thing I can't figure out is this sentence: "How sad was it to watch her be greeted by a group of supporters (including her current boyfriend) after their joint audition and to watch him shrug resignedly and hug Ryan?" I've read it five times and I can't tell what you mean.
Posted by: Meeghan | January 28, 2011 at 11:46 AM
I feel ripped off!!! In July, IDOL had 17,000 Nashville area hopefuls...150+ were invited back in late October for "finals". Out of all of those people, the first half of IDOL on Thursday was so stupid. Guess that is how FOX thinks this area of the country really looks and sounds! Not so!!!!!!!
Posted by: Gina | January 28, 2011 at 01:38 PM
I love Lauren!!! She is the total package. Her spirit is so inviting, personality is to die for, she's so beautiful and on top of all that she can sing! I'm a fan and no matter who else I may see I will be voting for her because of how she moved me spirtually. Go Lauren!!!
Posted by: Eboney Allen | January 28, 2011 at 07:44 PM
Let's be honest. She's only 15 and already chunky. She's only going to get chunkier. However skilled she is, her tone is neither distinctive nor alluring. Whatever the judges were hearing in the auditorium was not coming through on TV.
Posted by: AEvangelista | January 29, 2011 at 12:13 AM
Lauren is extremely talented and i predict that she is definately our next American Idol!! love this lil lady & i cant wait to see her on that stage performing!
Posted by: blade s | January 31, 2011 at 11:53 AM
It's beyond o que , not beyondo cute. I just don't see anyone coming along that will have a more complete package of natural talent and stage presence. Whether Lauren wins Idol or not, her life will never be the same.
Posted by: Lenny Mercurio | February 01, 2011 at 01:45 PM
I have played that back on my dvr several times to hear lauren, she is amazing and that cute, humble personality is attractive also. what yall think..........i think..........shes my favorite..........ready to vote
and the person that said she is chunky.....get real shes beautiful......just right........go find twiggy and some sick looking model lol
Posted by: Dawn in Michigan | February 02, 2011 at 10:14 AM
I think that Lauren Alaina is the one.....GREAT....can't stop watching it!!!!
Posted by: Deb Whiting | February 02, 2011 at 09:26 PM
TO the person that said Lauren is chunky: Get used to it. This is where the obesity epidemic has taken us. The parents pass down the unhealthy eating habits and poor Lauren now has the "fat gene." Even if she diets and exercises, she'll still be discouraged, because she won't get the same results that others get when they follow a program. This often leads to abandoning the diet and exercise program. You're going to see a lot more idol contestants like this, especially since they are drawn from middle america, where it often tough to get fresh vegetables and salads, etc.(Because of the cold and the veggies being shipped in on trucks.)
Posted by: Helen | February 04, 2011 at 10:42 AM
I love her, she is the best I've seen yet...so what she only 15 years old... ILOVE YOU!!!!!! and we need some better judges...someone thats going to be real with them because they are being to nice... and they are letting anybody go to hollywood
Posted by: Cocoboo | February 05, 2011 at 03:44 AM
Lauren Alaina has a beautiful, and natural voice that anyone with common sense can hear!!! I personally do not like country music but I would listen to her songs!!!! The people who criticize her know good and well that when they first heard it they had chills. Her voice is strong and pure!! Instead of antagonizing her on absolutely nothing, encourage a young person like that for having the courage to do what she did! There are a lot of teens out there with voices like her but don't get the encouragement they need to pursue their talents!! People constantly want to criticize people when they are jealous and comment on unneccessary thing like her weight, regardless she is still beautiful... The fact that she is fifteen makes her voice all the better, it just goes to show what you can find in unexpecting places!!! =0). I applaude you Lauren, and hope you go far
Posted by: Breona | February 07, 2011 at 11:17 AM
Lauren is beyondo cute. Her voice is effortless, but so strong. It's just incredible. I would listen to her all the time. She's a happy, polite, southern girl, and, frankly, it just doesn't get any better than that.
Posted by: Emily Manning | February 18, 2011 at 04:14 PM
I think Lauren Aliana is awesome. I wish I had 1/4 the talent she has. She's beautiful and confident. I really hope she wins but whether she wins or not we have not seen the last of her. For me she is the next Carrie Underwood.
Posted by: Leslie | February 24, 2011 at 09:16 PM
Lauren Alaina is awesome, not only is she 15 but she is so confident with her voice and so comfortable on stage. The only thing i would worry about would be her teenage years being taken away from her, which is when the parents would step in though aye.
Any how, Lauren Alaina fan from the very beginning!!!!
GO LAUREN!!!!
Posted by: Marama from NZ | February 28, 2011 at 05:36 PM
Good Luck !! Your very young and pretty and a great singer keep up the good work !!!!!!!!!!!! :) me and my friends believe your gonna be the next american idiol for sure
Posted by: Kelsey Kiernan | March 01, 2011 at 07:35 AM
I think Lauren is the total package. Aside from her catering to Steve and the props she gets from the judges. There is so much talent amongst all the contestants everyone has something beautiful to offer that really stands out, but you have to look at it from all angles - Lauren not only stands out because of her voice and stage presence. She is a natural not only because of the transparency she is able to perform with but because she is so well rounded. Her connection with the audience stems purely from her voice, presence and interpretation. That balance is what makes an artist. It naturally draws your attention not to her but to the ability to emit a sound, song and enjoy music which is ultimately what this show is all about eloquent entertainment. I predict that if she does not come out a winner on the show there will still be plenty of offers for her. Talent can be natural but can only be crafted with experience and will. She has all the characteristics and has got what it takes to boom in this business in my book. She is on her way to becoming a star and I don't even think she realizes this yet. Good luck to all the contestants! Lauren keep up the good work!!
Posted by: dee | March 04, 2011 at 06:41 AM